A Special Birthday Boy

Hard to believe this time 2 years ago, I was in a hospital room anxious to learn if Baby Bailey #4 would be a boy or a girl!  It had been a LONG night filled with many, many , many laps up and down a secluded hallway of Presbyterian.  It had been a night of laughter as my sister gave me exercises to do at the end of each lap in hopes I would make a little more progress and be admitted.  It had been a night of waiting in a lobby for grandparents and a night where a nighttime phone call woke up a dear friend asking her at the early hour of 3:30am to come over for the loves we were leaving behind!  It had been a night!!

But at 11:47 am, our hearts were immediately captured by the most beautiful baby boy!    

Every day for the past 2 years, our hearts continue to be stolen by this little boy!   

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Baby  Ben,  Our hearts are so full of love for you!  Each day we love you more and more!  Your strong spirit and determined personality are one of a kind!  We are so thankful for your precious laughter and smiles!  You are loved Lots and Lots! 

Happy Birthday to one of my Favorite Little Boys! 

I think I regret this...

For the majority of the past 2 years, curls have been Ben's signature feature!  The curls ... ahhh, the curls!  Some days they were ringlets , some days they turned into a complete rat's nest.  But no matter how you sliced it, those curls were simply adorable.

As I sat in the waiting area of a local children's salon, this was the sight staring me in the eyes.  A bit messy, yes, but perfect at the same time! 

They called his name and before you knew it, Ben was strapped into a Lightning McQueen hair chair awaiting the big cut!  I on the other hand, was debating a tear leaving my eye. 

 

The first few minutes were pretty painless.  Ben fussed a bit here and there but a combination of the Bubble Lady and the showing of Mickey Mouse in front of him, kept his attention. 

 

 

Then... the realization of the event hit Ben and it was NOT pretty!  

When you have to physically hold your child's face while hair stylist are holding his shoulders and legs, your child is probably creating a scene in the salon!  

That was us!  Oh, yes, my little love went from happy to see a bubble to totally ticked at the world in 2.2 seconds!  

Despite his complete disapproval of the cutting, the mission was accomplished! 

As we finished and were paying, the hair stylist said "17 minutes, not that bad."  Felt more like 30 to me, but I will go with 17!  

We quickly left to avoid more stares from the waiting parents and so I could fully inspect the result of the decision I had made.  I won't lie...it made me super sad.  

Not because it was a bad cut, because it wasn't.  It made me sad because it just isn't "him".  Ben is stubborn, determined, mischievous and CURLY HEADED!  Is this really his look? 

 

I told myself, it was the fact that it was wet.  It was slicked back and still very combed into a position- which is also not Ben. We brush his hair only to mess it up with our hands immediately afterwards.  But what was I to do?  What had been done, was done.  Time to move on. 

So I headed home anxious to see him run around and see if I could feel the love for this new do. 

 

And with a face like this...I can't focus too hard on the hair!  

Do I think this is Ben's look, Absolutely Not!  Do I think I will probably grow it out again , Yes.  Do I regret cutting those precious locks, 100% yes!  Then why did I do it?  He is turning 2 and a part of me felt like it was "time".  Also, on the days that the curls went buck wild and he sported the rat nest look, I did think a little boy cut would be best.  But now that it is done, I think I want that rat nest!!!  

As Bubba says, it is hair.  It will grow back.  I know this is true but I am pretty sure I am going to be a little sad tomorrow when this little love escapes his crib and comes to my side of the bed with all his blankets, foo food and Elmos and wants to crawl in bed with me and THERE ARE NO CURLS to run my fingers through!!  

I guess I should remember, it isn't my hair.  He is a boy and while I want him to remain a little baby forever, sadly, he is growing up quicker than I care for!  

I snapped this pic today.  Tonight, while looking back through them, all I can see is the profile of little Charlie!  My little baby is now a little boy and this momma is SAD!!!  

 

So sorry Ben Ben!  So sorry precious curls!  We will probably be seeing you again soon!  Grow fast hair!  Grow fast! 

Frequent Flier

For all you friends out there that are still unconvinced that this little love is always smiles and preciousness...you are thinking of this adorable love...aren't you?!

No one ever believes us.  Everyone says "Oh, not that sweet baby!"  

Ladies and Gentlemen, this little love is a master of deception!  His father says he is a con artist seeing as how he can only say a few words and I am conned by him every time!  (Although I know I am not the only one who falls victim to this....!!!)  

But, these days, this little love is spending a substantial amount of time in a corner very well known in this house!  Today's trip was thanks to his artistic skills on my kitchen floor!  Clearly, you can see this event was pleasant for all involved!  

 

Yet, despite his tempers, his con artist moves and master deception... 

It is virtually impossible to not fall head over heels in love with this face every time!  

"SNOW" Happy!

Would you believe me if I told you that Bess did a snow dance Saturday morning while looking out the front windows of our house?  I kid you not!  The child shook her booty and twirled around just a dancing while making her fingers fall from the sky like snowflakes!  I am not sure if it was the adorable "snow" dance or divine intervention. Either way, this house was filled with excitement and joy as the flakes of snow started falling from the sky!

Of course I wanted it to snow because it is a rarity these days.  But honestly, I wanted it to snow because I think Charlie's heart would have truly been crushed if it had not happened!  So many times this winter season, Charlie has gone to bed , trying his best to cross his fingers, saying prayers and wishing on a star that it would snow.  Each morning, he is disappointed to awake to winter skies yet no snow on the ground!   

Thankfully, his Friday night wish came true!  And our Sunday quickly became a Snow Fun Day! 

While Charlie and I were alone, we decided to suit up and have a wee bit of fun just the 2 of us!  

Charlie got his "sled" out of the kitchen cookie sheet drawer!  Creative little fella!  

And in the blink of an eye, we had sledding success! 

Before I could realize what was taking place, I turned around to this site... and clearly, I was nailed 2.2 seconds later!  Hearing his little giggle was great though!  Sure glad our snow was pretty powdery so it didn't really impact, just went spreading through the air! 

 

What is a snow day without snow angels?  This little boy knew just what to do! 

From the looks of these pictures, one might assume that these snow memories lasted for hours upon hours.  In actuality, the previous events all happened in about a time span of 15 minutes.  As quickly as we got outside, Charlie was ready to head back in.  And while I was more than willing to make a memory or 2 with the love, there was a couch and fire waiting on me, so he heard no complaints from me!  

But, wouldn't you know it, the minute I was inside, had de-layered myself and was about to get comfy, along come the girls who had spent the night out.  Yep, you guessed it, first thing I heard as they entered the backdoor, "Can we go play in the snow?".  Yet again, I layered myself, layered 4 kids and once again prepared to brave the snow!  

The girls were ecstatic !  

 

Thanks to Charlie's reporting, the girls were quite aware of what we had done earlier, so a repeat of "sledding on the pan", snowballs and snow angels were on the agenda.  

 

 

Crazy girl!  Forget moving your arms and legs in the snow!  All this one wanted to do was catch the falling snow from the branches above!  

 

I should have figured Ben would have disliked the snow.  Wylie and Bess were scared of it too when they were his age.  Ben didn't move 2 feet.  You could place him on the sidewalk and he would stay right there.  He really wasn't too sure about this stuff!  And what was I thinking for him in this outfit!  The child is warm but bless he is a bit miss matched!  Sorry Ben!  

But give this kid a front porch and the smiles were beaming bright (from behind his pappy!) 

 

Ben wouldn't agree to a snow angel but he let his Foo Foo make one!  If only the Foo Foo's in our house could talk!  

 

As we entered the house, we said goodbye to the snow!  I did this for 2 reasons :  1) I had a serious nap time planned and figured the snow would be melted after the kids got up and 2) I bet this snow was our one and only for this winter season!  We said our goodbyes and headed into the warmth! 

Up next, entertaining 4 little loves all day, inside!  Thankfully, we had enough board games to stock a store!  Our new personal favorite- Twister!   And watch out, Wylie totally rocked at this game!  

I am pretty sure I can say Snow Day 2013 easily went down as a success in the eyes of my little loves!  

Until the next snowfall... 

And he's out...again...

Another major life milestone has officially been accomplished by the babe of this family!  I don't know that I would say I am happy about this, but, it is not for the reasons most would think.

Not once, not twice, but as this blog is currently being written, we are on our fifth escape of the night. 

Yes, our little Ben Ben has learned to escape the crib.  While he is only a mere 23 pounds, this little love is one strong and determined little boy.  He has mastered the art of crib escapes and door opening.  

From downstairs, while sitting on the couch, we hear the distinct sound of the door knob bobbing up and down as our little love begins his next escape.  

And so one of us, who is so cozy and bundled up in our chairs and blankets, begins the trudge up the stairs.  While after five escapes and a little twinge of irritation at the situation (because all I want to do after my day of Valentine Fun as a third grade teacher is relax brain dead on the couch ) how in the world can you find this little boy anything but adorable? 

"Momma Rock Rock"  

AGHHHH  Melt my heart a thousand times over!  

At the current moment, it is 10 pm.  I have just put my little love down and have my fingers crossed.  Let's just say a small prayer we can get to bed before midnight around here! 

(Sidenote: Ben received this shirt for Valentine's for RahRah.  While he is NOT 2- he refuses to wear anything else to bed.  We might be wearing this every night until he actually is 2!) 

Nighty Night Little Love!  (I hope)

Happy HEART Day

Hard to believe 5 years ago on Valentine's Day I was looking over a NICU crib at this...

Hard to believe in the blink of an eye, I was celebrating Valentine's with another precious love to give all my hugs and kisses to! 

And even harder to believe that two Valentine's later, there would be another little love to share in the fun! 

Happy Valentine's Day to all my Little Loves!  

The Sign Says...

My children are OBSESSED with coloring, coloring books, doodling or writing words and letters.  They are so obsessed that we now have a corner children's table devoted to our coloring obsession in the kitchen.  Each day, during the hustle and bustle that a kitchen brings, my children usually can be found at the table coloring or making some wonderful work of art that is truly worthy of the words "masterpiece"!   

While Wylie and I wrote thank you notes, I noticed Charlie just as busy as he could be working on some creation.  He wasn't talking, didn't have any crazy art supplies like glue or scissors that needed my attention or supervision for and he seemed to be in his own world.  Why disrupt a child so busy in his creative juices?!  So, I just kept on with the thank you note writing session I had going on in front of me!  I did notice that Charlie left the table and headed upstairs.  Honestly, I thought that he was over the art work and had moved on to Ninja Turtles.  

Fast forward 2 hours later when I finally made it up the stairs.  Being that Charlie's room is immediately at the top of the stairs, I quickly noticed the new piece of "art" on his door.  

Quickly, I giggled and then inspected the "message" being sent by the 5 year old. 

Intially, I thought, since my name was closest to the word IN and it was in the same color as the word IN, that being Mom was a good thing.  Then I thought, hmmm, maybe since Bubba and Charlie are written in Blue that means that actually those are the only 2 people allowed in the room.  

Naturally, I went straight to the source to clear up the confusion! 

I was quickly told "See the X Mom?  That means all of ya'll can't enter.  Only me"  

"Not even daddy" I said. 

"Nope.  Ya'll Stay Out."    

And there you have it folks!  Don't go trying to enter this throne until the Grand Master Key Keeper grants you permission to enter!  

Celebration Success!

From the moment 2 little loves woke up until the moment their heads hit the pillows, I think their day of celebrating was a success!  From Krispy Kreme doughnut for breakfast, balloons on the mailbox after school and a party for supper…Charlie and Wylie have had a day filled with happiness and birthday wishes!

When asked what they should desire for supper, my precious loves gave their normals!  So, this chef extraordinaire whipped up a hearty meal with only the request of the birthday boy and birthday gal in mind!   Barbeque, mashed potatoes and watermelon (per Charlie) and McDonald’s chicken nuggets and box macaroni (per Wylie).  It was a feast!  Not the prettiest of feast but it was their request so I obliged!   If they were happy, I was happy!

After our “scrumptious” meal, this crew was ready for the celebrating to begin!  A quick cookie cake did the trick until our party this weekend!  Amen for cookie cake friends!!!

   

After a good dose of sugar before bedtime, it was Present Time!  What better part in the eyes of a 5 year old!

Charlie was THRILLED with his Scooby Doo goodies!  He has been talking about Scooby Doo for ages now and Santa was NOT on his game around Christmas but lo and behold, The Birthday Bunny was!  That Scooby Doo van is a doozy to locate these days!!!   Throw in a Ninja Turtle toy and you have one happy 5 year old!  Love his precious smiles as he opened his presents! 

 

“Fancy Pants” herself was just hoping for more “fancy” things.  Watch out world, because this little girl is decked from head to toe in “fancy” gear-  bracelets, rings, headbands and blinking light jewelry!  Watch out!  The only really thing Wylie asked for was a Fancy Nancy (or as she still calls it – a Fancy MAMCY doll).  Thank you internet for your speediness and abundant Fancy Nancy resources!  This momma was able to grant the only wish of this precious 5 year old!  But just to be sure we had a happy girl, we threw in a tacky nightgown!  Those never fail!!!

As my loves are busy around me, I hear Ninja Turtle helicopters, Fancy Nancy reading books, laughter and happiness.  I am so thankful for these 2 little loves. 

Today has been a constant “moment” for me.  I have treasured these past 5 years- all the smiles, temper tantrums, sleepless nights, fusses, fights, silly moments, giggles and grins.  Where would I be without these babies?  What life would be like without them is a thought I can’t even imagine!  Our house was made for lots of activity, lots of messy faces and lots of love! 

I don’t say it every day but I think it every day… I truly cherish the blessing of being a mommy to my babies.  I truly cherish their spirits, their hearts and their individual personalities.  I wouldn’t trade anything for these past 5 years.  And I wouldn’t trade anything for the years our futures hold. 

 

I love you Charlie and Wylie!  Lots and Lots!